Collectors, aware: Swap your old mobile for Airmiles

It's a trade: You could earn a trip on the Eurostar by trading in your old mobile

Collectors of Airmiles can build up their points by recycling unwanted mobile phones.

How many miles you get will depend on the type of phone you trade in, specifically its age, make and model. For example, a working Nokia 5800 will earn 750 miles - enough for a free return flight or Eurostar trip to destinations such as Paris or Brussels.

Research shows most mobile phone users replace or upgrade their handset every 18 months. And telecoms watchdog Ofcom shows that every household in the UK is estimated to have one or two unused handsets.

The boost to the Airmiles schemes comes after a number of reward credit cards have had their perks cut back.

Barclaycard has dropped cashback on its OnePulse card, and is
trialling a new scheme for Goldfish customers. Meanwhile, American
Express has increased the minimum number of points customers need to
collect before they can redeem cashback.

Airmiles can be
collected by holding a collector's card or by spending on a Lloyds TSB
Airmiles Duo credit card. You get one mile for every £10 you spend on
the card, and one mile for every £5 spent overseas.

Sign up
before October 31 and you get a voucher for 1,500 miles, which is
enough for a return flight for two to a destination in Western Europe.

You can calculate the miles you will earn for your phone by visiting www.airmiles.co.uk/recycling.